Some outdated Thai laws will be amended to usher in greater competition in areas such as rice exports and liquor production, Paetongtarn said in a televised address on Thursday to mark the completion of her administration first 90 days in office. The changes will benefit small and medium enterprises, especially in liquor manufacturing, she said.
“All kinds of monopolies either by private sector or the government increases cost for people and make them poorer,” Paetongtarn said. “The government believes that ending business monopoly is important.” The government will continue a cash handout program next year with about 4 million senior citizens in line for 10,000 baht each by Chinese New Year at the end of January, Paetongtarn said. Authorities distributed about 145 billion baht to nearly 14.5 million welfare cardholders in September, saying the move will spur consumption and help manufacturing.
Paetongtarn is the third member of the influential Shinawatra clan to lead Thailand after her father Thaksin Shinawatra and aunt Yingluck Shinawatra. Her administration is focused on reviving growth that’s lagged the pace of its neighbors over the past decade and slashing the cost of living for the country’s about 66 million people.The government expects to lower electricity tariffs next year through restructuring of the local power industry, the prime minister said.